This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool!

Monday, December 22, 2014

Disneyland visitors might see Mickey, Donald, Goofy, or Tigger, or any one of the many beloved costumed characters. But I always get a kick out of seeing a rare or relatively obscure character! Bernard and Bianca from "The Rescuers"; Robin Hood; Scrooge McDuck!

In this first photo, taken right near the Matterhorn chalet (you can just see the roof through the trees), 3 characters from "Pinocchio" (my favorite animated feature!) entertain the crowds. Honest John, I would love to see him there! And of course he will almost always be accompanied by his henchman/flunky Gideon. Pinoke hasn't learned his lesson and is playing hooky from school again.

Near the summit of the Matterhorn, we can just see a red-shirted climber. I saw climbers on the mountain when I was a kid, that was a while ago (!)… it would be nice to see them again. I've always assumed that there are permanent handholds (and footholds) along a particular path up the side, too small to be seen from the ground. The climbers are always tethered so that they can't plummet to the ground below - that would be bad.

15 comments:

Ah... the Mighty Matterhorn (or is it Majestic-?) Either way we can spy the cable - ummm.... the 'aerial assist' that so reliably helps Tinker Bell on her skyward journey towards the pillow at the other end. Ahhhh - so much for the magic. (Well, there certainly used to be one - a pillow, that is, to cushion her landing).

Summer '67! Just around the corner, the New Tomorrowland is in full swing. Yee-hah!

I remember in Town Square when I just got into the park, Gepetto walking up to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek, then putting me in a headlock and hard knuckle rubbing my head. I thought it was pretty funny! That was when I was a young adult. Never again had I experienced such affection from a Disney character. It was spontaneous without having to wait in line for a pre-set interactive experience with a character.

Chuck - No, it didn't occur to me to sue him. I was probably just too happy to be at Disneyland and flattered that a character would pick me out of a crowd and do that. Maybe I need to get with the times and start looking for things to offend me. ;)

♪ ♫ Climb the mountain, touch the sun. You can do it, you're the one! ♫ ♪ (It's still in my head.) Major, they also sang it in "Gala Day at Disneyland" during the opening ceremonies for the Matterhorn. Annette is one of the alpine dancers in the musical number, and "world champion skater" Ronnie Robertson from Ice Capades also performs.

Major, it's at the very end of "Gala Day at Disneyland." Here's the YouTube link. The performers are dancing to the music starting at the 23:10 mark, but they don't start singing the lyrics until the 25:10 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UqMkzsa_NI

Ken, the music plays on and off throughout the movie in the background. I think they might sing the lyrics briefly at the festival in the village....about halfway through the movie. Now I'm wondering if they actually do sing the lyrics, or if I was just singing them in my head every time the music was being played. They do give credit at the very beginning of the movie to the people that wrote the song.